Set phasers for fun – laser fest at IfM

March 17, for immediate release

Racing rockets, a close look at microscopic marvels and a chance to see how engineers are changing the world are just some of the activities on offer at the first ever Laser Fest.

The photonic-themed fun takes place at Cambridge University’s Institute for Manufacturing, part of the Department of Engineering, and forms part of the annual Cambridge Science Festival.

2010 marks the 50th anniversary of the invention of the Laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation) and a host of activities have been designed to highlight the power of state-of-the-art lasers.

Visitors will see how high power lasers are used for micromachining with writing so small, the naked eye can’t see it. There’ll also be a chance to see a laser Leonardo da Vinci by using the hi-tech light to make three dimensional works of art.

Also on offer will be the chance to have your photograph zapped onto steel, see our mini-death ray drill through concrete blocks and slice through steel and race rockets using mini-ray guns.

Resident laser expert, Dr Bill O’Neill, said the day would have something for everyone:

“It’s been 50 years since the laser was invented and its now touching every aspect of our lives.

“Every day items such as beer cans and the letters on a keyboard are marked by laser. Lasers are being used in everything from making cars to bar-code scanning.”

Even their use by James Bond super villains is coming close to reality. The US military are already using Humvee-mounted lasers for mine clearance, while just days ago it successfully tested a laser-based missile defence system.

“This is a really exciting time to be involved with laser technologies and we hope to inspire a new generation of laser engineers on Saturday.”

But the event won’t just be confined to blasting lasers. Dr Tim Minshall will be describing how engineers change the world in his talk Making the impossible possible. He’ll be looking at the role of engineering in creating humanity's greatest innovations, from putting a man on the moon to growing new body parts.

And if that’s not enough Dr Seuss fans will also discover how the gloopy green rain featured in the children’s classic, Bartholomew and the Oobleck, really did gum up the works.

Also on display will be images of events normally too fast for the human eye to see. From the beating of a hummingbird's wings to the piercing of a water balloon, using sophisticated digital high-speed cameras, scientists and engineers can capture and play back these events slowly to study them – familiar to anyone who watched the new BBC show Invisible Worlds starring Top Gear presenter Richard Hammond.

The afternoon of interactive demos, lab tours and talks takes place between 1pm and 5pm and full details can be found here http://www.ifm.eng.cam.ac.uk/service/events/info/scienceweek2010.html

Notes for Editors

For images or further information please contact:

Rob Halden-Pratt

Communications Officer

Institute for Manufacturing

01223 748266

Email:

Or University of Cambridge

Office of Communications

01223 332300

About the Institute for Manufacturing

The University of Cambridge’s Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), is a division of the Department of Engineering. The IfM brings together expertise in management, economics and technology to address the full spectrum of industrial issues. Its activities integrate research and education with practical application in companies, providing a unique environment for the creation of new ideas and approaches to modern industrial practice. The IfM works closely with industry, at a regional, national and international level, providing strategic, technical and operational expertise to help companies to grow and to become more competitive.